Chapter 427: Seek a Thread of Hope!

Lingzhou, Taogu County City.

As news of another successful city defense rolled across the sky like spring thunder, the entire city erupted in celebration.

Countless human residents left behind were filled with fervor, until the air in every corner echoed with soaring, passionate emotion, as festive as the arrival of a new year.

Especially in teahouses, taverns, and other gathering spots, bright lanterns illuminated countless joyous faces.

“It seems the legendary descendants aren’t so formidable after all—too bad I’m just one step away from merging with the Dao, unable to take to the battlefield and test my sword on a few of them!”

At a tavern on West City Street, Fang Jincheng held his wine cup with a bold, heroic expression, his words brimming with disdain for the descendants.

He sat with Zhao Yunyue and other nobles from the capital; at the neighboring table were the Lu sisters, along with outer academy disciples of the Heavenly Book Academy like Yu Shiliu and Gu Ze Tao, and young scions of major clans.

The highest cultivation among them was only Profound Mystery—they couldn’t fight on the battlefield, so they were ordered to maintain order in the city and care for the wounded.

This tavern on West City Street was their base; upon hearing of victory, they naturally gathered to discuss it.

Hearing Fang Jincheng speak as if he’d personally slain descendants, the noble youths couldn’t help but echo him: “True! If we can repel them once, twice, we can repel them thrice, four times—perhaps even have a chance to counterattack!”

“I agree with that. After all, our people hold sacred artifacts—back in the Ancient Era we suppressed them; why shouldn’t we do it again?”

“Exactly!”

Lu Qingqiu had remained silent until now, when she finally spoke softly: “You all must understand—we’re still only on the defensive. That’s not the same as being able to counterattack.”

She had once traveled with the Administration Office to the Sacred Grounds of the Ancients and had seen the descendants with her own eyes.

Having felt their strength firsthand, she couldn’t help but speak up and shatter their illusions.

Hearing this, Zhao Yunyue, seated diagonally across from her, lifted her gaze: “So according to Miss Lu, are we just waiting to die?”

“That’s what Princess Zhao said—not what my sister said,” Lu Hanyan snapped, narrowing her eyes to defend her sister.

“Is that so? But your sister’s tone sounded exactly like that.”

“My sister only wants everyone to stay alert, not to grow careless.”

Hearing the sharp tension between the three, those at the table exchanged glances.

Zhao Yunyue and the Lu sisters had once been close; after all, the Prince Chong and the Lingzhou spirit stone clan had long maintained close ties.

But after Ji You’s death, relations between them gradually cooled.

Still, due to their parents’ ties, they never became outright enemies, and would still greet each other when they met.

Their relationship truly soured after Ji You’s death, when Zhao Yunyue sneered openly, speaking with condescending sarcasm that the Lu sisters could not tolerate.

Just as the atmosphere grew tense, Fang Jincheng raised his cup: “By the way, speaking of this battle, I just heard that Shang Xiyao of the Wenda Sect personally led reinforcements here—have you heard?”

“Wenda Sect? Is that true?”

“I don’t know if it’s true—I find it hard to believe, so I’m asking you.”

Zhao Yunyue spoke softly: “It’s true. I didn’t hear it—I saw it myself just now, passing through Main City Street: the Wenda Sect’s Sacred Son arrived with his senior elders.”

Gu Ze Tao froze: “Yuzhou is also under attack—how could the direct disciple of the sect come to Lingzhou? Could the two sects be mending ties?”

“Why not? There’s no obstacle between them—only the dead man has been forgotten.”

“This…”

“Zhao Yunyue, the dead deserve respect. Don’t go too far.”

The Lu sisters weren’t naive girls of thirteen or fourteen—they immediately caught the hidden meaning in her words, their brows tightening.

Zhao Yunyue’s smile vanished instantly; her gaze sharpened toward them: “When the Mirror Master returned to the mountain holding her daughter, I said then that her actions were reckless and foolish. Miss Lu kept arguing that she was bold in love and hate, beyond comparison—so what happened? Didn’t things turn out exactly as I predicted?”

“The Mirror Master couldn’t choose right the first time, and she can’t choose right the second time.”

“What’s the point? In my view, her first choice was wrong—she abandoned a perfect match to choose someone no one believed in. What did that man leave her after he died?”

Hearing this, Lu Qingqiu set down her cup: “Hanyan, let’s go.”

Lu Hanyan turned to her sister: “Sister.”

“Someone like her—ignore whatever she says. It only brings you trouble.”

“You’re troubled because you can’t refute her.”

In truth, the news that the Wenda Sect’s direct disciple had abandoned his own battlefield to aid the central front wasn’t just being discussed here.

As those who had fought on the front lines spread the word, nearly everyone in the city had heard.

Their first reaction was disbelief—but once eyewitnesses confirmed Shang Xiyao’s presence, a wave of murmurs erupted.

“Shang Xiyao truly is loyal and heartfelt—after all that happened, he still holds the Mirror Master close?”

“Love truly is an elusive thing.”

“This is true devotion. Even if the Mirror Master were made of stone, she’d be moved.”

“So it seems the Mirror Master really did choose wrong…”

“Well, it’s hard to say right or wrong—only that her choice back then wasn’t wise. She nearly missed the best possible match.”

“That’s choosing wrong.”

“That’s true enough—but I wonder how the people of Lingjian Mountain will feel when they see Wenda Sect coming to aid them…”

At this moment, within the Taogu County City government compound.

With the battle over, the Yu Danzong alchemists resumed their work; endless waves of elixir light spread grandly, healing those who had taken the pills.

Those with lesser injuries sat in the courtyard, meditating on their own.

At that moment, Yan Jingshang sat across from Shang Xiyao, holding a cup of hot tea: “Nephew, today’s battle was perilous—thank you for your timely aid.”

Shang Xiyao smiled calmly: “Uncle, no need for such formalities. Our Wenda Sect has always been close to Lingjian Mountain. No matter what happened before, that bond remains unchanged.”

“For you to think this way, I feel deeply in debt.”

“Humanity now faces great disaster. Immortal sects must unite and aid one another. Besides, I know Uncle has always favored me.”

Hearing this, Yan Jingshang silently sighed within.

If his daughter had only been clearer-eyed and wiser back then, they and Wenda Sect would have been as close as family—why go through such a long detour?

Now, seeing Shang Xiyao so considerate, he felt even more regret, his frustration over his daughter’s choice deepening.

At that moment, the vermilion wooden door of the main hall opened, and Yan Shuyi and You Yingqiu stepped out.

Since returning from the battlefield, they had held a long, private meeting—now it had just ended.

“The rest is entrusted to you, Master You.”

“Mirror Master, rest assured. This concerns humanity’s survival—I will act with utmost care.”

You Yingqiu looked up to bid farewell, then turned and left.

Seeing this, everyone in the courtyard turned their gaze toward the young Mirror Master; Shang Xiyao’s eyes instantly burned with intensity.

Yan Shuyi watched You Yingqiu depart, then glanced at them—but only once. Without expression, she turned and walked toward her own courtyard.

Seeing this, Yan Jingshang suddenly set down his teacup: “Nephew, please sit. I’ll be right back.”

“I don’t need hospitality, Uncle, please go as you wish.”

Shang Xiyao knew he had moved Yan Jingshang—and his sudden departure meant he was going to see Yan Shuyi.

Yet he said nothing, merely bid him farewell quietly, pretending not to understand.

After all, in his view, such matters couldn’t be rushed—and given Yan Shuyi’s nature, pushing too hard would only backfire.

Besides, Yan Shuyi had borne another man’s child. As a direct disciple, he had his pride—he couldn’t be too forward toward someone like her.

Meanwhile, Yan Jingshang had already arrived at his daughter’s courtyard.

Yan Shuyi was playing with her newborn daughter, who had just woken up. Seeing him, she looked up.

She had seen Wenda Sect’s arrival, seen Shang Xiyao, and witnessed her father’s warm conversation with him—she knew why he was here, yet she kept her expression unreadable.

“Father, what brings you here?”

“Were you injured in today’s battle?”

“Thank you for your concern, Shuyi was unharmed.”

Yan Jingshang glanced at the infant in the swaddling clothes, then spoke: “If not for Shang Xiyao’s intervention, I might have died on the battlefield. Lingjian Mountain must show some gratitude.”

Yan Shuyi nodded: “He saved your life—that is a great debt. If he has any request, Father may grant it freely.”

“You are Lingjian Mountain’s Mirror Master, and my daughter. I think you should personally thank him.”

“I must care for Si’er, and need to recover quickly for the next invasion—there’s no time to waste.”

“Shuyi!” Yan Jingshang’s gaze sharpened. “Do you truly not know why Shang Xiyao came?”

Yan Shuyi lifted her eyes: “Because Wenda Sect feels isolated after the descendants’ tactic of dragging them apart and striking the center—I know perfectly well.”

Yan Jingshang frowned slightly: “You think too narrowly. Could he not have come because he still thinks of you?”

“Is that so? Then good—I still think of him too.”

“Really?”